Thread: Sub rattle question

Ok, on certain movie scenes my sub makes a sound thats more like its trying to blow air and rattle than make boom. At other times it hits the bass just fine. I'm thinking maybe its just times where the bass is too low for the sub??

Did it again last night during the Paramount splash screen when Cloverfield was starting. This was more like a bass hit with a ripple effect, kinda like the loud footsteps of dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. When these types of sounds are played, the sub hits the first part ok, but during the ripple it makes very strange noises and doesn't give off much bass at all. Like I said, I'm wondering if it isn't just a level too low for the sub.

Here is the sub I have:

Buy the Polk 10" Subwoofer and other Home audio subwoofers at circuitcity.com

Guess it could be the port blowing low bass air too. Is this something thats normal for home audio subs?(this is my first powered sub but Ive seen this before in car audio). Thanks for any input.

Found this.


Polk Audio PSW10 Monitor Series Powered Subwoofer - Home Theater Design

NightRyder

Ah, thanks. Looks exactly like what I have.

Wonder if removing the grill during movies would help? Might have to look at upgrading, I just hate that it was $199, hate to spend too much more.

Originally Posted by elwaylite

Wonder if removing the grill during movies would help? Might have to look at upgrading, I just hate that it was $199, hate to spend too much more.

$199 for a powered sub may be where your budget likes, but remember that you're talking about a serious speaker and a nnn watt amp.

Many of the smaller subs have problems with what I call wheezing. Even some of the larger ported subs wheeze.

Sometimes you have to go with what sounds right as something that sounds disturbing isn't worth the paper the invoice was printed on.

Originally Posted by elwaylite

Ah, thanks. Looks exactly like what I have.

Wonder if removing the grill during movies would help? Might have to look at upgrading, I just hate that it was $199, hate to spend too much more.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. You could try removing the grill, also might try varying amounts of a dampening material in the port (acoustic foam or even quilt batting). Those might help until your ready to upgrade.

NightRyder

Yep, agree it sounds like it is a straining bottleneck.

Its not a BIG issue, I only hear it on about 1 out of every 5 movies, and its very quick. 95% of the LOUD action during Cloverfield sounded great. I dont feel its enough for me to replace the sub, but Id like to minimize it. I removed the grill and will look into some material to try out in the port.

You might also try lowering the input levels to the sub from the A/V unit; and/or the output levels it tries to acheive.

I ran the calibration with the sub level at 50%, then increased it slightly. I turned it back down to 50% today thinking I may have had it too high for the movies.